Holding device

ABSTRACT

A holder for articles comprising a pouch, a receptacle disposed in the pouch, and at least one plate which is insertable into the receptacle. There is at least one flap for fastening said at least one plate inside of the receptacle. The plates are designed so that they provide form for the pouch and protect articles inserted into the pouch from damage. Corner brackets can also be used to fasten to each plate to fix each plate against movement.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part application and claims priority from Ser. No. 10/611,553 filed on Jun. 30, 2003 which is a continuation in part application and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/994,196 filed on Nov. 26, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference and which claimed priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/965,173 filed on Sep. 27, 2001 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a device for holding pumps or cell phones wherein this device is designed to fit inside of a user's pocket or to wrap around a user's belt. This device can also be used to hold any other electronic and/or digital device such as a beeper a heart monitor, a pocket recorder, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a palm pilot.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a device that can be used for holding electronic devices such as a cell phone or a beeper.

Essentially, the invention relates to a holder for articles comprising an adjustable pouch, having receptacles for receiving plates into the receptacles. Both the pouch and the receptacles can be made from flexible material. The plates can be secured in the pouch with connecting elements which connect the plates together. The plates can be set at different sides so that the size of the pouch can be adjusted based upon the size of the plates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which disclose at least one embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1A is a top view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a top view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a top view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B is a top view of the flexible adjustable cover for covering the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1A discloses a top view of a first embodiment of the invention. For example, first embodiment 10 includes a flexible pouch 12, which has a series of receptacles 20, 22, 24, 26. These receptacles are designed to receive substantially stiff or rigid plates, which are designed to be inserted into pouch 12. The insertion of these plates into pouch 12 is designed to provide a substantially rigid exterior so that pouch 12 is capable of protecting a device against collapse.

Plates 30, 32, 34, and 36 are insertable into associated receptacles 20, 22, 24, and 26 so that once they are inserted into the receptacles, pouch 12 is set against movement at least in the direction of arrow 40. For example, plates 32 and 36 are each inserted into receptacles 22 and 26. In addition, plates 30 and 34 can be inserted into receptacles 20 and 24. When these corresponding plates are inserted, they form a rigid structure that is stiff or rigid against any movement of the plates against any object contained inside. Coupled to pouch 12 are flaps 21, 23, 25 and 27 each having associated fasteners 21 a, 23 a, 25 a, and 27 a which allow flaps 21, 23, 25, and 27 to be fastened to an inside face of pouch 12.

With the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, there are receptacles 120, 122, 124, and 126 disposed in flexible pouch 112. These receptacles 120, 122, 124, and 126 are each designed to receive plates 130, 132, 134, and 136 respectively. Once these plates are inserted into the associated receptacles, they are fixed against movement by an associated flap 121, 123, 125, and 127 each having an associated fastener 121 a, 123 a, 125 a, and 127 a which can be coupled over these receptacles and fastened to an inside face of flexible pouch 112.

In addition, disposed inside of flexible pouch 112 are edge fasteners 140, 150, 160 and 170 which each have extending arms 142 and 144, 152, and 154, 162 and 164, and 172 and 174. These extending arms extend into the associated receptacles 120, 122, 124, and 126 so that when the associated plates 130, 132, 134 and 136 are inserted into the receptacles 120, 122, 124, and 126, associated notches 131, 133, 135, and 137 insert into arms 142, 144, 152, 154, 162, 164, and 172 and 174 to lock these plates in place so that these plates do not move in the direction of either arrows 141 or 143.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. With this design, there is a container 200 which is in the form of an open box, wherein this container has inner attachment elements or fasteners 222, 224, and 226 which are used to allow a cover 300 to attach thereto. As shown in FIG. 2B, cover 300 is in the form of a flexible cover which has flaps 320, 330, 340, and 350 wherein each flap has an associated fastener 322, 332, 342 and 352, wherein each fastener is for fastening to associated fasteners 222, 224, and 226, to cover container 200. Container 200 also has a base section which is not covered, and a connection element 242 for connecting to another coupling element or a user's belt buckle.

FIG. 2B is a top view of the flexible cover for covering over container 200. This flexible cover has flaps 320, 330, 340, and 350 wherein each flap has an associated fastener 322, 332, 342, and 352. Each of these fasteners and the fasteners disclosed above can be any form of fastener such as taken from the group comprising: a hook and loop fastener, a snap, a button, an adhesive, a catch, or any other known fastener.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container 200, wherein there are side walls 220, and an opening 210 to a bottom base section 210. On the side of this container 200 is connection element 242 which is for connecting another coupling element to a user's belt buckle.

Accordingly, while at least one embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A holder for articles comprising: a) a pouch; b) a receptacle disposed in said pouch; c) at least one plate which is insertable into said receptacle; and d) at least one flap for fastening said at least one plate inside of said at least one receptacle.
 2. The holder as in claim 1, wherein said pouch is made from a flexible material.
 3. The holder as in claim 1, wherein said flap is made from a flexible material.
 4. The holder as in claim 2, wherein said receptacle comprises at least four receptacles, and wherein said pouch has a substantially rectangular cross section, having at least four sides, wherein at least four of said sides of said pouch have at least one receptacle.
 5. The holder as in claim 1, wherein said at least one flap comprises a plurality of flaps which is made from an elastic material and which extends over said receptacles.
 6. The holder as in claim 5, wherein each of said plurality of flaps further comprises a fastener for fastening each of said flaps to said pouch.
 7. The holder as in claim 1, wherein said at least one plate comprises at least two plates wherein at least one of said at least two plates acts as a barrier against a movement of an adjacent plate.
 8. The holder as in claim 7, wherein said at least one plate comprises at least four plates, wherein at least two of said at least four plates act as barriers against movement of an adjacent plate.
 9. The holder as in claim 8, wherein further comprising at least one end bracket for securing at least two of said at least four brackets to each other.
 10. The holder as in claim 9, wherein said at least one end bracket comprises at least two arms, wherein a first arm of said end bracket inserts into at least one notch of at least one plate, of said at least four plates, and a second arm of said end bracket inserts into at least one notch of another end plate of said at least four plates.
 11. The holder as in claim 10, wherein said at least one end bracket comprises at least four end brackets with each end bracket being positioned in a corner region of said pouch, such that each end bracket secures to at least two plates, and wherein each of said end brackets secures said plates against movement.
 12. The holder as in claim 1, further comprising at least one connection element coupled to said pouch, said connection element for connecting said pouch to an article of clothing.
 13. A holder for holding electronic equipment comprising: a) a frame; b) a flexible elastic cover, for covering over said frame, said flexible elastic cover comprising: i) flaps; and ii) a plurality of fasteners coupled to said flaps, wherein said flexible elastic cover is for fitting over said frame.
 14. The holder as in claim 13, wherein said frame comprises at least five sides.
 15. The holder as in claim 13, wherein said frame is formed from a substantially rigid material and further comprises a connecting element for connecting to a user's article of clothing. 